Statement by the Indonesian Delegation at the 15th Session of the Human Rights Council, Item 3: IE on International Solidarity and SR on Human Rights and Toxic Waste

Let me first thank both the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity and the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Toxic Waste for their reports and presentations today.

We align ourselves with the statements made by Egypt and Pakistan, on behalf of the NAM and OIC respectively.

Mr. President,

The Independent Expert’s findings on Human Rights and Solidarity were both informative and thought-provoking. As he rightly pointed out, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter as well as other Human Rights Covenants and Declarations highlight the importance of international solidarity

As a country made up of over 230 million people and 17,000 islands, we fully understand the importance of cooperation, mutual respect and social justice. Indeed it is upon these very principles that our national constitution is based.

Mr. President,

The large-scale demonstrations of solidarity by States and other stakeholders in response to disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti and the recent floods in Pakistan clearly showed the capability and potential we all have to pull together for the sake of our shared humanity.

But international solidarity should not only be triggered by catastrophes. It should be an ever-present characteristic of our relations with others.

This is particularly true when it comes to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals - another area in which international solidarity and cooperation are proving to be influential and crucial elements necessary for long-term success.

At this juncture, my delegation is interested to know how the Independent Expert intends to proceed with the elaboration of the Draft Declaration on the Right of Peoples and Individuals to International Solidarity.

Mr. President,

I turn now to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Toxic Waste.

Indonesia is concerned to learn that the irresponsible practice of dumping of hazardous waste is still ongoing. In this age of international cooperation and improved technology, it is surely time that we came up with safer, just and more human-rights orientated solutions to this problem.

In our current position as President of the Basel Convention, we welcome the Special Rapporteur’s efforts to formulate a set of guidelines for a more human rights based approach to the safe disposal of toxic products and waste, with a clear reference to the provisions of the related Convention and the work of its Parties on this issue.

We also echo the call of the Special Rapporteur for all States to demonstrate greater commitment to making progress on this issue and encourage governments, international organizations, industry and private sector to provide resources and technical asistance to developing countries to enable them to actively pursue integrated waste management.